DU as barometer ........

[Stinky The Clown]

I'm getting the decided feeling, being a DU denizen of the highest order, that the general feelings on DU are hardening into a really 'can't take it anymore' disgust. Not that anyone around *here* has ever been in favor of the cabal. But I'm seeing fewer joke posts. Fewer debates, fewer discussions, more rants, more visceral hatred than in years - and even weeks and months - past.

And I'm right there with you.

But are we a barometer of the country? Not in an equal sense, but in relative terms. Given that the least informed DUer is ten times more informed than the avergae sheeple, as we see our views hardening, is theirs changing a similar amount? To the pojnt where they know damn good and well that shit's happeneing and the shitstorm is about to strike their litle corner of the world? Are they wakening for their six year slumber as we're working to fix things for 06?

Is DU (and other political discourse web sites) a barometer? A leading indicator?

[gordianot]

1. Yes the Chimp jokes have gone sour, it is no longer funny.

The Pukes who are turning on him are at a level of hatred.

[MuseRider]

2. Maybe.

It seems that way around here. I work and speak with a LOT of hard core Republicans (at least that is how they describe themselves)and none of them NONE of them are happy with what is going on. They think Bush** and his administration are crazy and crooks and they want them out. Lots of heads hung low and shaking in shame here.

Even better, they are not happy with our Republican representatives either.

They know that life has changed in a big way and for the worse and they know where the blame is and accept responsibility for voting for it. Does this mean they will try to be better informed? Maybe, lets hope so.

[Sammy Pepys]

3. *Dons flameproof underwear*

I don't think DU is particularly good barometer for overall public opinion, frankly. This is NOT to say that DU doesn't provide valuable insights and resources for organizaning and fighting back, but I do think DU is somewhat insulated. But clearly, it's focus is a place for politically charged progressives to discuss and plan....and I think that insulates us a little bit. I just don't think the rest of the country is that interested or enamored with going as far into depth as we do here on the sheer number of topics and ideas that get discussed.

Rather, I think we're a better barometer for the progressive left and the information movement.

[unblock]

4. leading indicator. we're unfortunately YEARS ahead of the curve.

[NoAmericanTaliban]

5. Yes, Considering we are monitored by right wingers to see what DU

is up too. There is a lot of anger & frustration out there, but the real issue is where these emotions are being directed at. With rising gas prices, for example, more folks are angry at the oil companies & the GOP than say Arabs or Opec. Instead of blaming liberal commies or Bill Clinton they have to direct the anger at who is in charge & that is the wackos.

[liberal N proud]

6. As DU goes, the nation follows...

I think DU is slightly ahead of the curve for political fever
We have been worked up long before the nation woke up. I think the public will get as worked up as we are as this regime continues its onslaught on the American ideals.

[TallahasseeGrannie]

7. I don't think we are a very predictive

baromter. I think TV news probably would be moreso.

[katinmn]

8. People who get their news off the Internet and from a wide array

of sources are far better informed than the general population, as well as most of the news media.

I still see a lot of naivety and ignorance about what is going on in the nation and the world.

We are better informed but sadly not a barometer.

[JohnnyRingo]

9. On the other hand DU as a barometer of the general consensus

of the US.
People everywhere and of all political stripes are getting fed up with actions of this admin.

One trip over to Freeperland show the list of topics limited to stories about someone shooting a burglar or maybe the odd racist anti-islam article. I see posts praising their AM radio heros without topical substance of current issues.
They seem limited on posts that fit their ideals. (Then there's their apparent flop of a fundraiser this week).

I think DU and the popularity of many other left leaning sites is a telling barometer of the nation's level of disgust with this president and his failed policies.